The idea of a completely healthy lifestyle means a lot to many people. Most of us just try to keep our bodies in good shape, which is an important step. But the concept of health encompasses much more than you might initially imagine. Different types of health have different effects on our wellbeing.

We should be mindful of our mental health, emotional state and social wellbeing. Some of these terms may sound strange and seem unfamiliar and there is nothing unusual about this. This article will explain what each of these types of health is, as well as revealing tips to help you make sure you are looking after yourself properly.

Mental health

These days, every now and then someone mentions mental health, and it’s a very good thing.

For the past few years, there has been a huge emphasis on awareness of what mental health is and how important it is. This is for good reason. Your mind is responsible for a lot, and neglecting its health can have negative consequences on both your mental and physical state.

A consequence of greater knowledge about mental health in society, is that the negative perception of mental illnesses is disappearing. Illnesses such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar and autism were once considered rare and often shameful. Now, society is better educated and therapy is not something we try to hide.

It is very likely that you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, and this experience teaches others. The knowledge we acquire can be shared, in other words, there is no longer any reason to keep quiet about mental health.

There is no quick fix for poor mental health, but at least there is enough research and guidance to draw on. If you feel that something is wrong with your mental health, you should talk to your doctor, perhaps you should start therapy.

Emotional health

Emotional health is very closely related to mental wellbeing, but there are a few differences.

Your emotional health is related to how you process thoughts and emotions. This does not mean that emotionally healthy people do not experience negative emotions, quite the opposite. You have the right to feel angry, grumpy, stressed or frustrated, but the way you deal with these feelings is mostly in line with accepted norms.

It is almost impossible not to experience one of the above emotions at some point during the working week, but try to rationalise these thoughts as best you can. Persistent anger even after a positive event will lead you into problems and can make you ill. The thoughts can screw up the spiral and it is very difficult to break out of the loop.

The key to staying emotionally healthy is to regulate your emotions. Think about how thoughts affect you and try not to dwell on negative events.

You can improve your emotional wellbeing by meditating, listening to music, spending time alone or even talking to a therapist. It is important to remember that you are not alone. There is even a psychological practice known as cognitive therapy that aims to counteract negative thinking. It might be a good idea to look into this if you feel you are struggling with poor emotional health.

Social health

Too many people ignore the social side of their health, or are simply unaware that there is such a factor. As a species, humans have a need to be with others. To feel needed, warmth, success or friendly competition, being around other people is essential.

Being well social gives us a sense of belonging and can help us combat low mood or poor mental health. A decent laugh with a friend is one of the most natural cures you can find. Unfortunately, surrounding yourself with people is not as easy as it may seem.

Some of us find the idea of socialising a daunting experience due to a mental problem such as anxiety. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way, and the first step to finding a solution is to talk about it. A therapist can help you understand the causes of your insecurities, and this can change the way you view social interactions.

Another way to improve your social health is to develop better communication skills. Introverts can find conversations more tiring than others, so having good listening skills can be a useful tool. If you’re shy, open yourself up to conversations with more adventurous people, and extroverts can use their skills to get to know the quieter people around them better.

Environmental health

The human race does not only react to the people around it. Our health is also linked to our environment. Of course, there are external factors that will affect our health, such as environmental pollution, but we won’t make a big difference on our own.

Environmental health is more than just external factors. A person who feels safe and relaxed is better equipped to deal with the stresses that exist in modern society. It is therefore important to find a place where you feel comfortable. You can set aside a room in your home where you can relax or find a place outdoors where you can reflect on your wellbeing.

How you deal with the world depends largely on the circumstances you find yourself in, so try to cultivate a healthy space around you full of positive associations. If you can find it, you’ll have somewhere to go when you feel the need to escape.

Physical health

It is impossible to talk about general health without discussing physical wellbeing. Every person in modern society is told to the point of boredom about the importance of a healthy diet and exercise.

That being said, let’s take a different approach to physical health. To stay physically fit, of course you need to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly, but there are other ways to look after your physical wellbeing.

For example, regular visits to the doctor are a great start. Periodic check-ups can detect parts of our body that are not functioning at their maximum potential. In addition, most diseases can be managed better when detected early. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and see if there is something in its functioning that is not working as it should.
Also, you may want to find out what you can do if something goes wrong. It is important to find out about your health insurance. Health insurance can help you financially if you have any physical health problems.

General health

The types of health outlined in this article may make the idea of staying healthy seem difficult to achieve. Don’t worry, the types of health listed are easy to monitor if you keep a close eye on yourself. Furthermore, you may find that taking care of one aspect of your health will greatly improve another.

Staying healthy these days really only requires one simple thing, and that is that you take care of yourself in a way that only you know is best for you.